On the second half of a back-to-back, the Pittsburgh Penguins will likely only see one change in the lineup.

PITTSBURGH – The Pittsburgh Penguins are set to battle the Winnipeg Jets for the second time in five days. After a tough loss in Minnesota, the Penguins are heading into the second half of a back-to-back with travel, making this a stiff night for them.

The Jets enter this contest as losers of five straight, with one being a shootout loss to the Penguins earlier in the week. Thanks to the back-to-back scenario, the Penguins didn’t have a morning skate, but there will likely only be one real change to the lineup.

Barring any unnoticed injuries, this is how the Penguins' lines are projected to look.

Forward Lines

Jake Guentzel – Sidney Crosby – Bryan Rust

Rolling along as usual, the Penguins have a lot to thank their first line for. Scoring has dried up for a good chunk of the lineup, but Sidney Crosby and Jake Guentzel are doing all they can to keep the Penguins in games.

Reilly Smith – Evgeni Malkin – Drew O’Connor

After a massive scoring drought, Reilly Smith finally found the back of the net against the Wild. It was his first goal since mid-December and only his fifth point in that time. Back from injury, the Penguins are hopeful scoring can become a regular thing for Smith again.

Rickard Rakell – Lars Eller – Jesse Puljujarvi

Rickard Rakell has struggled this season, but dropping him to the bottom six hasn’t done him any favors. He’s better suited next to Crosby or Evgeni Malkin, but he needs to prove he’s worthy of that position.

Jansen Harkins – Colin White – Jeff Carter

In 33 games played, Jansen Harkins has no goals. In six games played, Colin White has no goals. Jeff Carter has one goal in 11 games. On the season these three combine for 12 points. The numbers aren’t much better with Noel Acciari in the lineup, but there is straight-up no offense coming from these three.

Defensive Pairings

Marcus Pettersson – Kris Letang
Ryan Graves – Erik Karlsson
P.O. Joseph – Chad Ruhwedel

Until an injury pops up or head coach Mike Sullivan decides it’s time to go back to John Ludvig, these will likely be the three defensive pairs for the long haul. The Penguins could use Ludvig against the Jets if things get physical in response to the Acciari and Brenden Dillon incident earlier in the week, but he’s still likely sitting out.

Starting Goalie

Tristan Jarry

The only likely change is Tristan Jarry getting the start in the second half of the back-to-back. The Penguins are undefeated in the second half of back-to-backs this season, and there is hope that Jarry can maintain the solid play and keep that streak alive.

This will be the last meeting between the two teams this regular season, and the Penguins need to find a win to keep their names firmly in the playoff hunt.

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